Home energy audits in Simcoe County

Of the 122,485 houses in Simcoe County (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses, duplexes and mobile homes), 16% were built before 1961 and 52% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. The typical house here dates from 1981–1990. An EnerGuide evaluation is how you find out what that means for yours: the blower door measures air leakage, the advisor inspects the attic, walls, basement, windows and heating system, and the report ranks upgrades by what they'd save.

Environment and Climate Change Canada's 1981–2010 climate normal at Barrie WPCC (8.9 km from the middle of the area) is 4,254 heating degree-days a year, with a January mean of −7.7°C. The more heating a climate needs, the more each fix is worth, which is why the ranked list in the report matters.

On census day (May 11, 2021), 13% of the 151,437 private dwellings in Simcoe County were not anyone's permanent home. If you're evaluating a cottage or a house you're about to buy, tell the advisor how and when it's heated; the report models the house as a year-round home.

Province-wide, 58% of Ontario households heat mainly with natural gas, 18% with electricity, 4% with propane and 1% each with oil and wood (Statistics Canada, 2023); there's no published breakdown for this area alone. The heating system on the report shapes the recommendations: a furnace with ducts invites a ducted heat pump, electric baseboards a ductless one.

Typical Ontario prices are about $500–$700 for the initial EnerGuide evaluation and $200–$450 for the follow-up, plus HST where it applies. Windfall Ecology Centre charges $500 + HST for the initial evaluation and $250 + HST for the follow-up, Reep Green Solutions charges $540 and $406 with no HST, and City-backed programs in Ottawa and London quote $500–$700 as typical for the first visit. Only assessments from the seven HRSP-approved organizations qualify for the $600 Home Renovation Savings rebate, and none of the seven publishes a price.

All seven organizations approved for Home Renovation Savings assessments are among them, and only their assessments qualify for its $600 rebate. Check the HRSP-approved tag in the list below.

Most providers quote the initial (pre-upgrade) and follow-up (post-upgrade) visits separately, and organizations based in a city may add a travel fee for rural addresses. Rebate programs that pay on measured improvement need both visits, so ask for the combined price, travel included.

• Initial evaluation, about 2–3 hours. The advisor measures and inspects the house and runs the blower door test.
• Report and EnerGuide rating. You get the home's energy rating and a list of recommended upgrades with estimated savings.
• Do the work. Most rebate programs only count upgrades done after the initial evaluation.
• Follow-up evaluation. A second visit measures the improvement, which is what most rebates pay on.

Read more: What a home energy audit involves.